Maria Speirs was driving on the A47 when the back window of her car was shattered by a bullet

Police are hunting a crazed gunman who fired on five motorists as they travelled along a busy dual carriageway in a terrifying late-night attack.

Norfolk police said motorists were fired upon as they made their way along the A47 in Norfolk.

The gun-toting man fired shots from the side of a packed dual carriageway as motorists flew past at 70mph.

At least five vehicles, including a Tesco lorry, had their windows blown out as they drove on the westbound carriageway between the A11 and A47.

The attack was today slammed by stunned police and victims, who said it was a miracle no one was seriously hurt in the attacks.

Maria Speirs, 21, of Little Melton, Norfolk, was driving home at 11.20pm when her rear passenger window was smashed.

The sales associate said: 'I didn't know what had happened - the window suddenly blasted through. I was so frightened and upset.

'I pulled in at the next layby and there was another car already parked there. I was too scared to get out, but then they flashed me.

'It was a man and woman who had also been shot at and one of their windows was broken. I was so upset I was crying my eyes out but they were lovely and I sat in their car.'

Armed police rushed to the scene as terror-stricken drivers raised the alarm and a police helicopter and sniffer dogs were drafted into the area, but police found no trace of the gunman.

Terrifying: The section of the A47 where cars were fired upon

But police said it appeared the shots were fired from the side of the road, rather than from a nearby bridge.

A Norfolk Police spokesman said: 'Police received reports in the area of Harford Bridges park and ride that five vehicles sustained smashed windows while driving along the road between 9pm and 11.30pm on Friday evening'

'The damage was believed to have been caused by some sort of firearm.

'Armed officers were deployed along with air support and an extensive search was conducted. No offender was identified and enquiries are continuing.'

Miss Speirs had been out in the city centre for a drink with her friend, but was driving home alone.

She said if she had been carrying any passengers in the car, particularly the near-side rear seat, they could have been badly injured.

The police spokesman added: 'These type of incidents are rare.

'This was a dangerous and irresponsible act of criminal damage and could have led to serious consequences such as a road traffic collision for those who were travelling in vehicles at the time.'